Niger Tornadoes 2–0 Wikki Tourists: Late second-half surge secured vital victory for Tornadoes

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The Niger Tornadoes produced a decisive late performance to secure a 2-0 victory over Wikki Tourists in their matchday 32 match of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) at the Bako Kontagora Stadium, Minna.

After a hotly contested first half, the breakthrough came in the closing stages, with Abdulrasheed Shehu Dabai converting from the spot before Terdoo Shimagande sealed the victory with a late header. The achievement provides a significant boost to the Minna-based team as it continues to push for maximum safety.

The first half saw Wikki Tourists adopt a disciplined defensive approach, successfully containing the hosts’ repeated attacking attempts.

The Niger Tornadoes dominated possession but were unable to translate their pressure into clear scoring chances, as the visitors held on to keep the score goalless at the break.

A tactical change after the break proved decisive. The Tornadoes’ coaching crew introduced Rickson Mendos and Nelson Michael in place of Kufre Ebong and Ani Chigozie, a move that immediately injected pace and urgency into the game. The substitutions allowed Ahmadu Liman greater influence in midfield, where he orchestrated play and delivered incisive passes.

Further adjustments followed, with Joseph Godfrey replacing Abdulaziz Dalhatu as the hosts stepped up their attacking approach. The sustained pressure finally paid off in the 80th minute, when Mendos was brought down inside the penalty area, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Dabai confidently stepped up to convert, giving the home side a deserved lead.

The Niger Tornadoes doubled their lead in injury time when Terdoo Shimagande rose to meet a well-taken effort from Liman, heading home to secure all three points.

Speaking after the match, coach Majin Mohammed praised his team’s resilience and tactical response:

“We thank God for the win. It was a great effort and a great performance from the players, they showed real desire. We struggled to find our rhythm in the first half, which led to the changes we made, and luckily they worked.”

Majin said the club’s focus as the season reaches a crescendo is safety.
“Our focus remains on securing our NPFL status and finishing comfortably.”

The win takes the Niger Tornadoes to 11th position in the NPFL table. They will look to build on this momentum when they travel to Katsina for their next match against Katsina United.

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